Back in 2001, DreamWorks Pictures obtained the rights to an Abraham Lincoln biography being written by Doris Kearns Goodwin ("No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt"). Since that time, Steven Spielberg's been anxious to direct the biopic. According to Variety, Spielberg is gearing up to start production on the Abraham Lincoln film in early 2006.

Variety also reports Spielberg's in talks with his "Schindler's List" star, Liam Neeson, to play the part of Lincoln. The film follows Lincoln as he leads the North in the U.S. Civil War.

Liam Neeson has been earning rave reviews for his role as sex researcher Alfred Kinsey in "Kinsey." Neeson will next be seen in "Kingdom of Heaven" directed by Ridley Scott and "Batman Begins" with Christian Bale.

Steven Spielberg is currently shooting "War of the Worlds" with Tom Cruise.